Xavi ambition powers Barça challenge

Having had to watch from the bench as FC Barcelona won the UEFA Champions League in 2006, Xavi Hernández has added incentive to ensure they fulfil the promise they have shown so far this season. "I had an injury," the 28-year-old recalled. "I got back just in time but was not prepared for a Champions League final and it still needles me. I'd like to play in a final with Barcelona and win it."

Eye-catching
As the Catalan side found out they would be facing Olympique Lyonnais in the first knockout round following today's draw, Xavi may never have a better opportunity to right that wrong. Barça played some of the most eye-catching football of the group stage and with a commanding lead at the top of the Liga following last Saturday's victory against Real Madrid CF, coach Josep 'Pep' Guardiola's biggest problem is keeping a lid on expectations. Xavi, though, is not getting carried away. "You never know if you're the favourite," he said. "As well as Barça, there are a lot of good teams. I think the champions Manchester United are the biggest favourites, but you never know in a competition as unpredictable as the Champions League. You can do well until March and in one match you can be eliminated. You have to peak at the right time; that's why it is so hard to win the competition."

Liverpool warning
United's Premier League rivals Liverpool, coached by Spaniard Rafael Benítez and boasting Xavi's UEFA EURO 2008™-winning Spain team-mate Fernando Torres, have also caught the eye. "I see Liverpool as a very strong team. They are very solid, very well prepared and have a very meticulous, tactically-astute coach. I also like Inter Milan. They don't play a very attacking game, but they are difficult to score against and lose very few matches."

Disappointment
Barcelona may have reached the semi-finals of the UEFA Champions League last season, but they went out with a whimper rather than a bang, their meeting with Manchester United FC dominated by speculation over the futures of key players, as well as coach Frank Rijkaard. According to Xavi, the appointment of Guardiola as coach quickly refocused minds. "We came from two magnificent years winning the league twice and the Champions League and maybe people needed to renew their ambitions," Xavi said.

'Discipline'
"Fundamentally, what [Guardiola] changed is the discipline he has imposed. We have gained order as a team and in the dressing room and this is fundamental in the world of team-based sports. On a footballing level, he has implemented a very attacking system that is very attractive for the supporters and for us. We have a higher percentage of ball possession throughout almost every match and this makes us and the fans enjoy the game even more."

'Respect'
Playing for Guardiola, who like Xavi came up through the Barça academy, has put a smile back on faces at Camp Nou. "My relationship with Pep has always been based on respect. He has always been admired as a footballer and I have had the chance to get to know him as a person, so our personal relationship is very good. It was already like that during the three years when we were team-mates [at Barça] and now as a coach there's an incredible respect. In terms of football, our mutual understanding and vision are just terrific."

Champions League dream
It is an understanding that could yet see Guardiola recapture the trophy he won as a player with the Blaugrana in 1992. "The Champions League is what excites us most," Xavi admitted. "But let's be prudent and cautious, knowing we can win it, but that there are also other teams who could do so as well. In the Champions league, you never know what's going to happen. One bad match and you're out."